I think it’s important that you know about this net when you cruis the Caribbean, because although in general the Caribbean is safe, there ARE certainly places that have significant problems with crime. The most notorious of these is the Northeast coast of Venezeula. We used to cruise it in the 1990′s but I absolutely would not now. And there are other areas/harbors that experience problems from time to time, and these areas may change.

Just as we do ashore, we need to be aware of security and make informed decisions about where we cruise. There are too many wonderful places in the Caribbean: I choose to avoid the harbors and areas that are beyond my comfort level.

So, yes, do go sail the Caribbean – it is a delight, but do check with resources like the Caribbean Safety and Security Net, the Caribbean Compass and Noonsite.com as you cruise so that you stay on top of security problems that may influence your itinerary.

What we liked about the Safety & Security Net when we were cruising the Caribbean was that you heard about incidents as they happened, so that precautions could be taken if you were nearby. In most instances, multiples incidents were the work of one wayward individual (which ought never, but often are, extrapolated to the whole community or island.) Then, when that individual was caught, the incidents ended.

Unfortunately, in today’s communications universe, reports of any given incident are repeated over and over, and worse, on a slow news day, blown out of proportion by the major media back home. Rarely, however, does the follow-up catch up to first headline. It’s no wonder that a would-be cruiser researching a voyage plan on the Internet should come away anxious.

The best point made in the Safety & Security Net post is not to leave your good sense behind when you come cruising the Caribbean (or any place.). None of the places we cruise to are truly the paradise the magazines strive to make them. They are someone’s home town, with all the foibles of your own. A small lock to prevent temptation to curious passers-by is the main step to take. Ask locals where it is not safe to wander, and when you do explore, be respectful of people’s property and privacy as you would hope they would do visiting your home neighborhood. Avoid flaunting wealth by wearing unnecessary jewelry or carrying more money than you need.

In return, we were always amazed at how welcoming people were to strangers in their midst in every community and culture we visited. Consider how true would be the opposite? It’s very humbling.

The other point the Security net post made was about “tolerance” to risk and other factors, and how it will govern where you choose to cruise. It is a valid point, but I thought came across a bit negative, particularly the examples of Trinidad, St. Martin and the Virgin Islands (two of which are very near and dear to my heart.) Your tolerance to the various factors encountered in cruising should evolve from your own experiences and not be picked up from others. For example, I personally think a dirty waterline in Trinidad is a small price to pay for exposure to either the incredible Carnival culture that thrives there or the wonderful wildlife of the island’s northern mountains. Your experience usually is very much what you make of it.

When we were preparing to set out cruising (Note that HOME for us was the allegedly risky Virgin Islands!), we met a boat who proudly showed off the security gates and grates in their hatches and companionways and demonstrated their on-deck emergency lighting and alarm system. More than anything else, this set us to wondering, like Karen, what were about to expose ourselves to, and whether we should be installing all these precautions ourselves.

In the end, we did install a switch to turn on deck lights from below and kept an air horn in the aft cabin and a second flare gun to brandish, (none of which was ever called for, although the deck light switch was handy when boats dragged too near at night!) We locked the main companionway when leaving the boat unattended, kept our cruising kitty well concealed, and hoisted our dinghy alongside at night. That’s about the extent of what was needed. In other words we practiced Prudence instead of Paranoia, a strategy I would highly recommend.

In reality, most locals are pretty keen to have us stop over in their communities, learn something of their ways, and, yes, put some US dollars into the local economy. We were invariably welcomed as individuals as opposed to a unit of the flag we were flying (against which some might have some legitimate gripes!) You may actually be surprised how often foreigners think well of Americans! We treated people well and with respect, and so got the same in return. Quite simply, people are not out to get you!

So, go, Karen. And go with enthusiasm. It’s a great world out there.